Magnetic fluid coupling assemblies and methods

ABSTRACT

Fluid coupling assemblies and methods are discussed. The fluid coupling assemblies include a first coupling member, a second coupling member magnetically engageable with the first coupling member, and a seal member disposed between a portion of the first coupling member and a portion of the second coupling member. A magnetic engagement of the first coupling member and the second coupling member unseals a fluid flow path therebetween. In certain examples, the first coupling member is sealed by a valve member and the second coupling member includes an activation member. When engaged, the valve member is moved from a closed position to an open position by the activation member, thereby unsealing the fluid flow path. A magnetic force between the first coupling member and the second coupling member can be chosen such that the members disengage when a predetermined fluid flow path pressure is reached.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/936,662, filed Nov. 7, 2007, which claims thebenefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/864,749, filed on Nov. 7, 2006, and U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/882,045, filed on Dec. 27,2006, which applications are incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This patent document pertains generally to a fluid coupling assembly forfluid transfer applications. More particularly, but not by way oflimitation, this patent document pertains to magnetic fluid couplingassemblies and methods.

BACKGROUND

Fluid couplings for fluid transfer applications typically include asocket having a fluid flow passage, and a plug also having a fluid flowpassage. The socket is attached to, for example, a first fluid line andthe plug is attached to, for example, a second fluid line. The plug ispushed into the socket to join the two lines and one or more valves arethereafter, at a later time, opened to establish a fluid flow pathbetween the two lines. The coupling can be freestanding, or the plug orthe socket can be mounted in a manifold, a wall or otherwise secured toa device.

Fluid pressure accompanies the fluid as it is transferred between thefirst fluid line and the second fluid line. The fluid pressure tends toforce the plug and socket apart from one another. For this reason, alockable mechanical connection is typically made between the socket andthe plug. As one example, a bayonet mount can be used to connect thesocket and the plug. As another example, a threaded sleeve connected tothe socket receives mating threads on the plug. Such a configurationprovides a secure fluid connection, but can require considerableconnection time and tools (e.g., a wrench or the like) for providingsufficient torque to screw and unscrew the sleeve. Additionally, suchmechanical couplings tend to be bulky and consume significant volume orare susceptible to failure.

SUMMARY

The present inventors have recognized, among other things, a quickconnect/disconnect fluid coupling assembly which eliminates the need forassembly tools to complete a fluid flow connection between a firstcoupling member and a second coupling member is needed. In addition, thepresent inventors have recognized that such assembly should be compactin size, leak tight in structure, robust, and easy to use.

To this end, fluid coupling assemblies and methods comprising first andsecond magnetically engageable coupling members are discussed herein. Afluid coupling assembly includes a first coupling member, a secondcoupling member, and a seal member therebetween. The first couplingmember and the second coupling member are magnetically engagable, suchas by way of a first magnetic member and a second magnetic member havingattracted polarities. The engagement of the first coupling member andthe second coupling member opens a fluid flow path therebetween. Whenthe coupling members are disengaged, this fluid flow path is sealed.

In Example 1, a fluid coupling assembly comprises a first couplingmember having a first engagement portion, the first engagement portionincluding a valve member; and a second coupling member magneticallyengageable with the first coupling member, the second coupling memberhaving a second engagement portion including an activation member;wherein aligned magnetic engagement of the first coupling member and thesecond coupling member moves the valve member from a resiliently biasedsealed position to an unsealed position via the activation member,thereby unsealing a fluid flow path traversing a portion of eachcoupling member.

In Example 2, the fluid coupling assembly of Example 1 is optionallyconfigured such that an overlap between the first engagement portion andthe second engagement portion is about 1 mm or less when magneticallyengaged.

In Example 3, the fluid coupling assembly of at least one of Examples1-2 are optionally configured such that the first coupling memberincludes a first magnetic member having a first polarity and the secondcoupling member includes a second magnetic member having a secondpolarity, the first polarity attracted to the second polarity.

In Example 4, the fluid coupling assembly of Example 3 is optionallyconfigured such that the first magnetic member includes a magnet havinga toroidal shape.

In Example 5, the fluid coupling assembly of at least one of Examples1-4 optionally comprises a seal member disposed between a portion of thefirst coupling member and a portion of the second coupling member, theseal member configured to prevent fluid leakage when the couplingmembers are magnetically engaged.

In Example 6, the fluid coupling assembly of Example 5 is optionallyconfigured such that the seal member is disposed around the firstengagement portion and includes a ring-shaped elastic member.

In Example 7, the fluid coupling assembly of Example 5 is optionallyconfigured such that the seal member is disposed around the activationmember and includes a ring-shaped elastic member.

In Example 8, the fluid coupling assembly of at least one of Examples1-7 is optionally configured such that the magnetic engagement includesa magnetic force between the first coupling member and the secondcoupling member, the magnetic force configured such that the firstcoupling member and the second coupling member disengage when themagnetic force is overcome.

In Example 9, the fluid coupling assembly of Example 8 is optionallyconfigured such that the disengagement of the first coupling member andthe second coupling member moves the valve member to the resilientlybiased sealed position, thereby sealing the fluid flow path.

In Example 10, the fluid coupling assembly of at least one of Examples1-9 is optionally configured such that the second coupling member isintegrated into a housing of a cellular phone, a satellite phone, alaptop computer, a computer accessory, a display, an audio or videoplayer, a medical device, a television, a transmitter, a receiver, alighting device, a power tool, or an electronic toy.

In Example 11, a fluid coupling assembly disposed between a fuel supplysource and a fuel reservoir in a fuel cell powered device, comprises afirst coupling member in fluid communication with the fuel supplysource, the first coupling member having a first engagement portion; anda second coupling member integrated in the fuel cell powered device andmagnetically engageable with the first coupling member, the secondcoupling member having a second engagement portion; wherein a magneticengagement between the first engagement portion and the secondengagement portion unseals a fluid flow path traversing a portion ofeach coupling member; wherein disengagement of the first coupling memberand the second coupling member seals the fluid flow path.

In Example 12, the fluid coupling assembly of Example 11 is optionallyconfigured such that the magnetic engagement includes a magnetic forceconfigured such that the first coupling member and the second couplingmember disengage when a predetermined internal pressure of the fuelreservoir is reached.

In Example 13, the fluid coupling assembly of at least one of Examples11-12 is optionally configured such that the magnetic engagement betweenthe first engagement portion and the second engagement portion issubstantially depthless.

In Example 14, the fluid coupling assembly of Example 13 is optionallyconfigured such that the predetermined internal pressure is betweenabout 300 psig and 725 psig.

In Example 15, the fluid coupling assembly of at least one of Examples11-14 is optionally configured such that the first engagement portionincludes a valve member and a valve seat, the valve member movablebetween a sealed position in contact with the valve seat and an unsealedposition spaced from the valve seat.

In Example 16, the fluid coupling assembly of at least one of Examples11-15 is optionally configured such that the fuel cell powered deviceincludes one of a cellular phone, a satellite phone, a laptop computer,a computer accessory, a display, an audio or video player, a medicaldevice, a television, a transmitter, a receiver, a lighting device, apower tool, or an electronic toy.

In Example 17, a method of coupling a fuel supply source and a fuelreservoir in a fuel cell powered device, comprises magnetically engaginga first coupling member in fluid communication with the fuel supplysource and a second coupling member in fluid communication with the fuelreservoir, including aligning a first engagement portion of the firstcoupling member and a second engagement portion of the second couplingmember; establishing a seal between the first coupling member and thesecond coupling member, including preventing fluid leakage between thefuel supply source and the fuel reservoir; and opening a fluid flow pathbetween the first coupling member and the second coupling member,including moving a valve member of the first engagement portion from aresiliently biased sealed position to an unsealed position.

In Example 18, the method of Example 17 is optionally configured suchthat opening the fluid flow path includes bringing a portion of anactivation member of the second engagement portion in contact with aportion of the valve member.

In Example 19, the method of at least one of Examples 17-18 isoptionally configured such that opening the fluid flow path includesallowing a stream of at least one of hydrogen, one or more alcohols,butane, formic acid, one or more borohydride compounds, one or moremixtures of alcohols and borohydrides, one or more ammonia boranesolutions, one or more carbazole compounds, one or more hydrocarbons,one or more alcohols, methane, hydrazine hydrate, propane, or ammonia toflow from the fluid supply source to the fluid receiving reservoir.

In Example 20, the method of at least one of Examples 17-19 isoptionally configured such that magnetically engaging the first couplingmember and the second coupling member includes coupling a magnetdisposed on the first coupling member and a magnetic surface of thesecond coupling member.

In Example 21, the method of at least one of Examples 17-20 isoptionally configured such that magnetically engaging the first couplingmember and the second coupling member includes overlapping the first andsecond engagement portions less than about 1 mm.

In Example 22, the method of at least one of Examples 17-21 isoptionally configured such that establishing a seal between the firstcoupling member and the second coupling member includes compressing aseal member disposed between a portion of the first coupling member anda portion of the second coupling member.

In Example 23, the method of at least one of Examples 17-22 optionallycomprises disengaging the first coupling member and the second couplingmember, including moving the valve member of the first engagementportion to the resiliently biased sealed position, thereby sealing thefluid flow path.

In Example 24, the method of Example 23 is optionally configured suchthat disengaging the first coupling member and the second couplingmember includes attaining a predetermined internal pressure of the fuelreservoir.

In Example 25, the method of Example 23 is optionally configured suchthat disengaging the first coupling member and the second couplingmember is directionally independent and can include receiving, at one orboth of the first or second coupling members, an external side force.

Advantageously, the present fluid coupling assemblies and methodsprovide a fluid connection that is compact in size, leak tight instructure, robust, and easy to use. Additionally, the present fluidcoupling assemblies and methods can be designed such that the magneticengagement between the fluid supply source and the fluid receivingreservoir automatically disengages when a predetermined pressure isreached within the reservoir or along the fluid flow path, or when aninadvertent force of a predetermined magnitude is externally applied tothe engagement. These and other examples, advantages, and features ofthe present fluid coupling assemblies and methods will be set forth inpart in the Detailed Description, which follows, and in part will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art by reference to the followingdescription of the present fluid coupling assemblies and methods anddrawings or by practice of the same.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, like numerals describe similar components throughoutthe several views. Like numerals having different letter suffixesrepresent different instances of similar components. The drawingsillustrate generally, by way of example, but not by way of limitation,various embodiments discussed in the present document.

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic view of a disengaged fluid couplingassembly including a first coupling member and a second coupling member,as constructed in accordance with at least one embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic view of a system including a fuel cellpowered device having a fuel receiving reservoir, a fuel supply source,a first coupling member and a second coupling member, as constructed inaccordance with at least one embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates, among other things, a sectional view of an engagedfluid coupling assembly in which the cross section is taken through thecenter of such assembly portions, as constructed in accordance with atleast one embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates, among other things, a sectional view of a disengagedfluid coupling assembly in which the cross section is taken through thecenter of such assembly portions, as constructed in accordance with atleast one embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates a method of using a fluid coupling assembly, asconstructed in accordance with at least one embodiment.

FIG. 6 illustrates a magnet having a toroidal shape.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a fluid coupling assembly 100 including a firstcoupling member 102, a second coupling member 104, and a seal member 110disposed between the members. The first coupling member 102 and thesecond coupling member 104 are held in engagement with one another via amagnetic force provided by a first magnetic member 106 disposed on thefirst coupling member 102 and a second magnetic member 108 on the secondcoupling member 104. The first magnetic member 106 has a first polarity,which is attracted to a second polarity of the second magnetic member108. The polarities of the first 106 and second 108 magnetic members canbe permanent or induced. For example, the second polarity of the secondmagnetic member 108 can be generated by a permanent magnet or an inducedmagnetic effect.

In various examples, an engagement portion 112 of the first couplingmember 102 includes a size and shape that is complementary with a sizeand shape of a second coupling member 104 portion, thereby facilitatingengagement and alignment of the members. As shown and described in FIG.3, the magnetic engagement of the first coupling member 102 and thesecond coupling member 104 unseals a fluid flow path 302 (FIG. 3)between the members, such as by way of concentrating a mechanical force.The first and second magnetic members 106, 108, respectively, can bechosen such that the magnetic force therebetween is sufficient to causethe seal member 110 to fluidly seal the fluid flow path 302 (FIG. 3).Additionally, the magnetic members 106, 108 can be chosen such that thefirst coupling member 102 and the second coupling member 104 disengagewhen a predetermined fluid flow path 302 (FIG. 3) pressure is reached.As shown in FIG. 4, the first 102 and second 104 coupling members can bedesigned such that when this disengagement occurs, the fluid flow path302 (FIG. 3) is simultaneously sealed or sealed at substantially thesame time.

Among other fluid transfer applications, the present fluid couplingassembly 100 can find utility in connecting a fluid supply source, suchas a fuel supply source, and a fluid receiving reservoir, such as a fuelreceiving reservoir in a fuel cell powered device. Fuel cells areelectrochemical devices that can efficiently convert energy stored inconvenient fuels into electricity without combustion of the fuel. Amongother fluids, the present fluid coupling assembly 100 can be used totransfer one or more of methanol, ethanol, butane, formic acid, one ormore borohydride compounds, carbazole, one or more hydrocarbons, one ormore alcohols, methane, hydrazine hydrate, propane, ammonia, hydrogen orany other suitable hydrogen-carrying fluids, such as liquid hydrogencarrier described in commonly-owned McLean et al., U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/538,027 entitled “HYDROGEN SUPPLIES AND RELATEDMETHODS.” Each fuel cell generally comprises a negative electrode, apositive electrode, and a separator within an appropriate container. Thefuel cell operates by utilizing chemical reactions that occur at eachelectrode. Fuel cells are similar to batteries in that both generallyhave a positive electrode, a negative electrode and electrolytes.However, fuel cells differ from batteries in that the fuel in fuel cellscan be quickly refilled without disassembling the cell to keep the celloperable.

It is convenient for fuel cells to be compatible with portable orstationary fuel supply sources, which permit empty or partially emptyfuel receiving reservoirs of fuel cell powered devices to be refilled inorder to keep the fuel cells, and ultimately the associated fuel cellpowered devices, operable. Generally, fuel supply sources suitable foruse with portable and other fuel cell powered devices comprise a storagestructure having a suitable fuel stored therein. Additionally, thesefuel supply sources are typically connectable to the fuel receivingreservoir via a coupling mechanism which provides an actuatable fluidpath from the fuel supply to the fuel receiving reservoir. Thus, oncethe fuel supply and fuel receiving reservoir are fluidly connected andthe appropriate valves are open, fuel can transfer from the fuel supplystorage structure to the fuel receiving reservoir in the fuel cellpowered device.

FIG. 2 illustrates one example of fuel cell powered device, and morespecifically, a cellular phone 200 including a fuel cell. When the fuelsupply within the cellular phone's fuel receiving reservoir 202 isexhausted, it needs to be either refilled or replaced. To refill thefuel supply, a fluid connection can be made between the fuel receivingreservoir 202 and an external fuel supply source 204 using the presentfluid coupling assembly 100, including a first coupling member 102 and asecond coupling member 104.

In the example of FIG. 2, the first coupling member 102 is in fluidcommunication with the external fuel supply source 204, such as ahydrogen supply source described in commonly-owned McLean et al., U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/538,027 entitled “HYDROGEN SUPPLIES ANDRELATED METHODS”, a refueling apparatus described in commonly-ownedZimmermann, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/535,050 entitled “METHODAND APPARATUS FOR REFUELING REVERSIBLE HYDROGEN-STORAGE SYSTEMS”, or arefueling station described in commonly-owned Iaconis et al., U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/535,052 entitled “REFUELING STATION”, andthe second coupling member 104 is in fluid communication with the fuelreceiving reservoir 202, such as a fuel enclosure described incommonly-owned Zimmermann, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/473,591entitled, “FLUID ENCLOSURE AND METHODS RELATED THERETO.” A fuel storagematerial, such as a composite hydrogen storage material described incommonly-owned Zimmermann, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/379,970entitled, “COMPOSITE HYDROGEN STORAGE MATERIAL AND METHODS RELATEDTHERETO,” can be disposed within the fuel receiving reservoir 202 foroccluding and desorbing the supplied fuel.

While a cellular phone 200 powered by one or more fuel cells isillustrated in FIG. 2, the present fluid coupling assembly 100 can alsobe used with other fuel cell powered devices in addition to other fluidtransfer applications. For instance, the present fluid coupling assembly100 can be used with satellite phones, laptop computers, computeraccessories, ultra mobile computing devices, displays, personal audio orvideo players, medical devices, televisions, transmitters, receivers,lighting devices (including outdoor lighting or flashlights), electronictoys, power tools, or any other electronic device conventionally usedwith batteries or fuel combustion.

FIG. 3 illustrates, in cross-section, portions of an engaged fluidcoupling assembly 100, in which a first coupling member 102 isreleasably and magnetically engaged with a second coupling member 104.As shown, the first coupling member 102 is fluidly connected to anexternal fuel supply source 204 and the second coupling member 104 isfluidly connected with a fuel receiving reservoir 202 of a fuel cellpowered device 200. In certain examples, engagement of the firstcoupling member 102 and the second coupling member 104 simultaneously orat substantially the same time opens a fluid flow path 302 extendingbetween the external fuel supply source 204 and the fuel receivingreservoir 202. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 4, disengagement of the firstand second coupling members 102, 104, respectively, can simultaneouslyor substantially at the same time seal the fluid flow path 302.

In this example, the magnetic engagement between the first couplingmember 102 and the second coupling member 104 is established using oneor more first magnetic members 106, such as one or more magnets, and oneor more second magnetic members 108, such as one or more magneticsurfaces. The attractive magnetic force between the one or more firstmagnetic members 106 and the one or more second magnetic members 108 canbe designed such that the fluid coupling assembly 100 is strong enoughto compress any seal member(s) 110 disposed between the coupling members102, 104, yet disengages when a predetermined device fuel receivingreservoir 202 internal pressure or fluid flow path 302 pressure isreached. For instance, the attractive magnetic force can be designedsuch that the first and second coupling members 102, 104, respectively,disengage when the fuel receiving reservoir 202 pressure reaches betweenabout 300 psig (2.07 MPa) and 725 psig (5 MPa) at 55° C., for example.Additionally, the attractive magnetic force between the one or morefirst magnetic members 106 and the one or more second magnetic members108 can be designed to disengage due to the occurrence of an accidentalevent that takes place, for example, during refueling operations. Forinstance, the attractive magnetic force can be designed such that ifsomeone trips or falls over a refueling hose associated with the fuelsupply source 204, the magnetic coupling 100 disengages before the fuelcell powered device 200 is pulled off its supporting surface.

FIG. 4 illustrates, in cross-section, portions of a disengaged fluidcoupling assembly 100, in which a first coupling member 102 is spacedfrom, but magnetically engageable with, a second coupling member 104. Inthis example, the first coupling member 102 includes a housing 406, avalve member 408, a seal member 110, and one or more first magneticmembers 106. The housing 406 has a bore 410 therethrough such that afluid flow path 302 (FIG. 3) extends from a fuel supply source 204 on afirst housing portion to an engagement portion 112, such as anengagement nozzle, on a second housing portion when the fluid couplingassembly 100 is engaged (see FIG. 3). The size or shape of the bore 410can be guided by desired flow rate requirements and intendedapplications of the particular coupling assembly. For instance, the bore410 can have a circular cross-section, an oval cross-section, arectangular cross-section or the like of various sizes.

An o-ring or other seal member 110 can be disposed on or near the secondportion of the housing 406 to seal between the engagement portion 112 ofthe first coupling member 104 and a recess portion 404 of the secondcoupling member 104 when the fluid coupling assembly 100 is engaged.Alternatively or additionally, the seal member 110 can be disposed on aportion of the second coupling member 104, such as on a wall of therecess portion 404 or on a portion of a hollow or otherwise configuredactivation member 420, projecting from a surface of the recess portion404. By sealing the engagement, the seal member 110 prevents leakage ofthe fuel being transferred from the fuel supply source 204 to the fuelreceiving reservoir 202. Prevention of fuel leakage is important toavoid potential safety hazards, such as exposure to toxic materials,creation of a flammable mixture in ambient air, or causation ofenvironmental pollution. The one or more first magnetic members 106 canalso be disposed near the engagement portion 112 of the housing 406 toengage with the second coupling member 104, and in some examples,includes a magnet having a toroidal shape. FIG. 6 illustrates a magnethaving a toroidal shape.

The valve member 408 and a resilient member 414 (e.g., a coiled spring)are disposed within the bore 410 and generally function to regulatefluid flow through the first coupling member 102. In certain examples,the valve member 408 moves substantially along an axis of the bore 410between a sealed position (shown) and an open or unsealed position (seeFIG. 3). In the sealed position, a portion of the valve member 408 restsagainst a valve stop 412 of the housing 406 and a valve lumen near aninner end can be surrounded by the housing. The resilient member 414 isbiased to keep the valve member 408 abutted against the valve stop 412.In this way, fluid flow through the first coupling member 102 isprohibited unless another force is applied to counteract the force ofthe resilient member 414. In the unsealed position, the valve lumenextending from a circumference of the valve member can be exposedallowing fluid to enter into and through valve to the second couplingmember 104. Other fluid by-passing arrangements could alternatively beused to allow fluid to flow through the first coupling member 102 to thesecond coupling member 104 when the valve member 408 is in the unsealedposition.

In this example, the second coupling member 104 includes one or moresecond magnetic members 108, a sealing surface 418 designed to abutagainst the seal member 110, the hollow activation member 420, a fuelconnection 450 to the device's fuel receiving reservoir 202, and therecess portion 404. Additionally, a pressure activated one-way valve canbe included in the second coupling member 104 to ensure that thepressurized fuel can flow to the internal fuel receiving reservoir 202,but not leak from the fuel receiving reservoir 202 via the fuelconnection 450. In certain examples, but as may vary, the recess portion404 includes a depth of about 1 mm or less, thereby providing a couplingscheme that does not require much space within the fuel cell powereddevice 200.

As shown, the activation member 420 projects outwardly from a surface ofthe recess portion 404 allowing a portion thereof to contact a portionof the valve member 408 when the first coupling member 102 is engagedwith the second coupling member 104. In certain examples, the activationmember 420 includes a size and a shape configured to closely contact thevalve member 408 without any gap allowing such components to align withone another when the first coupling member 102 is magnetically engagedwith the second coupling member 104. As shown, the activation member 420and the valve member 408 can include flat mating faces. In otherexamples, the activation member 420 can include a spherical, convexsurface while the valve member 408 includes a concave surfacecomplementary to the convex surface.

As discussed above in association with FIG. 3, the first and secondcoupling members 102, 104, respectively, can be engaged with one anotherusing the attracted polarities of the one or more first magnetic members106 and the one or more second magnetic members 108. As a result, whenthe first coupling member 102 is placed near the second coupling member104, the first magnetic member(s) 106 is attracted to the secondmagnetic member(s) 108, thereby bringing the engagement portion 112 ofthe first coupling member 102 within the recess portion 404 of thesecond coupling member 104. This, in turn, compresses the O-ring orother seal member 110 on the first coupling member 102 against thesealing surface 418 on the second coupling member 104 and causes theactivation member 420 to actuate the valve member 408 to a position awayfrom the valve seat 412. With the valve member 408 in the open position,fuel from the fuel supply source 204 is allowed to flow to the internalfuel receiving reservoir 202 of the fuel cell powered device 200.

In general, the housing 406, the valve member 408, the activation member420, and other components of the first coupling member 102 and thesecond coupling member 104 can include any material suitable for use influid transfer applications, such as metals, polymers or combinationsthereof. The seal member 110 can include materials such as natural orsynthetic rubber or elastomeric polymer. The resilient member 414 caninclude an elastic spring of any appropriate design, an elastic materialor the like.

FIG. 5 illustrates a method 500 of using a fluid coupling assembly. At502, a first coupling member and a second coupling member aremagnetically engaged. This engagement can include, for example, amagnetic coupling between a magnet disposed on the first coupling memberand a magnetic surface of the second coupling member. In certainexamples, this engagement includes inserting an engagement portion ofthe first coupling member within a recess portion of the second couplingmember, such as inserting about 1 mm or less.

At 504, a seal between the first coupling member and the second couplingmember is established. In certain examples, this sealing includes thecompression of a seal member between the engagement portion of the firstcoupling member and a sealing surface of the second coupling member. Inother examples, this sealing includes the compression of a seal memberbetween the engagement portion of the first coupling member and anactivation member of the second coupling member. At 506, a fluid flowpath between the first coupling member and the second coupling member isopened by moving a valve member from a resiliently biased sealedposition to an unsealed position. In varying examples, the valve memberis moved due to contact with the activation member projecting from asurface of the recess portion. At 508, the first coupling member and thesecond coupling member are disengaged and the fluid flow path is sealed.

Fluid coupling assemblies and methods employing a first coupling membermagnetically engaged with a second coupling member have been discussed.Using magnetic forces to engage the first and second coupling membersmakes refilling a fluid receiving reservoir, for example, very easy andallows for disengagement when the fluid receiving reservoir is filled orwhen an inadvertent force is placed on a portion of the refilling system(e.g., a refueling hose). As illustrated, the present fluid couplingassemblies may, in certain examples, permit simultaneous unsealing of afluid flow path when the first and second coupling members are engagedand simultaneous sealing of the fluid flow path when the coupling memberare disengaged.

CLOSING NOTES

The above Detailed Description includes references to the accompanyingdrawings, which form a part of the Detailed Description. The drawingsshow, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which theinvention can be practiced. These embodiments are also referred toherein as “examples.” All publications, patents, and patent documentsreferred to in this document are incorporated by reference herein intheir entirety, as though individually incorporated by reference. In theevent of inconsistent usages between this document and those documentsso incorporated by reference, the usage in the incorporated reference(s)should be considered supplementary to that of this document; forirreconcilable inconsistencies, the usage in this document controls.

As used or incorporated herein, the terms “a” or “an” are used, as iscommon in patent documents, to include one or more than one, independentof any other instances or usages of “at least one” or “one or more.” Asused to incorporated herein, the term “or” is used to refer to anonexclusive or, such that “A or B” includes “A but not B,” “B but notA,” and “A and B,” unless otherwise indicated. As used or incorporatedherein, the term “fluid” refers to a gas, liquefied gas, liquid, liquidunder pressure or any combination thereof having the ability to flowthrough a first and a second coupling member. Examples of fluid includeone or more alcohols, butane, formic acid, one or more borohydridecompounds, one or more mixtures of alcohols and borohydrides, one ormore ammonia borane solutions, one or more carbazole compounds, one ormore hydrocarbons, one or more alcohols, methane, hydrazine hydrate,propane, ammonia, hydrogen or any other suitable hydrogen-carryingfluids. As used or incorporated herein, the term “engage,” “engaging,”or “engagement” refers to physically touching or being withinsufficiently close proximity. A first and a second coupling member canengage with one another, thereby allowing a fluid to flow therethroughwithout leakage. As used herein, the term “stream” refers to a movementor proceeding in a continuously or semi-continuous manner for a periodof time. A stream of fluid can move continuously from a fuel supplysource to a fuel reservoir, for example, when a first and secondcoupling member are magnetically engaged.

In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used asthe plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and“wherein.” Also, in the following claims, the terms “including” and“comprising” are open-ended, that is, a system, device, article, orprocess that includes elements in addition to those listed after such aterm in a claim are still deemed to fall within the scope of that claim.Moreover, in the following claims, the terms “first,” “second,” and“third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to imposenumerical requirements on their objects.

The above description is intended to be illustrative, and notrestrictive. For example, the coupling engagement nozzle and thecoupling recess can be reversed with respect to their connections to thefuel cell device and fuel supply source. In addition, the present fluidcoupling assemblies and methods can find use with other fluid transferapplication, such as non-fuel based fluid applications, where rapidcoupling and uncoupling in conjunction with unsealing and sealing,respectively, can be desirable. Further, the fluid receiving reservoircould be removable from the associated device in addition to beingnon-removably integrated into the device. Other embodiments can be used,such as by one of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the abovedescription. Also, in the above Detailed Description, various featurescan be grouped together to streamline the disclosure. This should not beinterpreted as intending that an unclaimed disclosed feature isessential to any claim. Rather, inventive subject matter may lie in lessthan all features of a particular disclosed embodiment. Thus, thefollowing claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description,with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment. The scopeof the invention should be determined with reference to the appendedclaims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claimsare entitled.

The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b), to allow thereader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. Itis submitted with the understanding that it will not be used tointerpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A fluid coupling assembly comprising: a firstcoupling member having a first magnetic member and a first engagementportion, the first engagement portion comprising a single valve member,wherein the single valve member abuts a ball member that abuts aresilient member; and a second coupling member magnetically engageablewith the first coupling member, the second coupling member comprising asecond magnetic member and a second engagement portion comprising asingle outwardly projecting activation member configured to physicallycontact and move the single valve member from a sealed position to anunsealed position, wherein the single outwardly projecting activationmember is the only activation member of the fluid coupling assembly andthe single outwardly projecting activation member projects outwardlyfrom and is an integral part of a surface of a recess portion of thesecond coupling member, wherein the single outwardly projectingactivation member terminates within the recess portion of the secondcoupling member, wherein the recess portion of the second couplingmember is an integral part of the second coupling member; whereinaligned magnetic engagement of the first coupling member and the secondcoupling member is in response to the first magnetic member and thesecond magnetic member mating only along a single plane and the magneticengagement unseals a fluid flow path traversing a portion of eachcoupling member; and wherein the magnetic engagement comprises amagnetic force configured such that the first coupling member and thesecond coupling member disengage when a predetermined internal pressureof the fuel reservoir is reached.
 2. The fluid coupling assembly ofclaim 1, wherein an overlap between the first engagement portion and thesecond engagement portion is about 1 mm or less when magneticallyengaged.
 3. The fluid coupling assembly of claim 1, wherein the secondcoupling member is integrated into a housing of a cellular phone, asatellite phone, a laptop computer, a computer accessory, a display, anaudio or video player, a medical device, a television, a transmitter, areceiver, a lighting device, a power tool, or an electronic toy.
 4. Thefluid coupling assembly of claim 1, wherein the single outwardlyprojecting activation member is stationary.
 5. The fluid couplingassembly of claim 1, wherein the first coupling member comprises a firstmagnetic member having a first polarity and the second coupling membercomprises a second magnetic member having a second polarity, the firstpolarity attracted to the second polarity.
 6. The fluid couplingassembly of claim 5, wherein the first magnetic member comprises amagnet having a toroidal shape.
 7. The fluid coupling assembly of claim1, wherein the magnetic engagement comprises a magnetic force betweenthe first coupling member and the second coupling member, the magneticforce configured such that the first coupling member and the secondcoupling member disengage when the magnetic force is overcome.
 8. Thefluid coupling assembly of claim 7, wherein the sealed position of thesingle valve member is a resiliently biased position and thedisengagement of the first coupling member and the second couplingmember moves the single valve member from the unsealed position to theresiliently biased sealed position, thereby sealing the fluid flow path.9. The fluid coupling assembly of claim 1, further comprising a sealmember disposed between a portion of the first coupling member and aportion of the second coupling member, the seal member configured toprevent fluid leakage when the coupling members are magneticallyengaged.
 10. The fluid coupling assembly of claim 9, wherein the sealmember is disposed around the first engagement portion and comprises aring-shaped elastic member.
 11. The fluid coupling assembly of claim 9,wherein the seal member is disposed around the single outwardlyprojecting activation member and comprises a ring-shaped elastic member.12. A fluid coupling assembly disposed between a fuel supply source anda fuel reservoir in a fuel cell powered device, the fluid couplingassembly comprising: a first coupling member having a first magneticmember and a first engagement portion; a second coupling membermagnetically engageable with the first coupling member, the secondcoupling member having a second magnetic member and a second engagementportion; a single valve member disposed within the first couplingmember, wherein the single valve member is the only valve member of thefluid coupling assembly and is movable between a sealed position incontact with a valve seat and an unsealed position spaced from the valveseat, wherein the single valve member abuts a ball member that abuts aresilient member; a single outwardly projecting activation memberdisposed within the second coupling member and configured to physicallycontact and move the single valve member when the first and secondengagement portions are magnetically engaged, wherein the singleoutwardly projecting activation member projects outwardly from and is anintegral part of a surface of a recess portion of the second couplingmember, wherein the single outwardly projecting activation memberterminates within the recess portion of the second coupling member,wherein the recess portion of the second coupling member is an integralpart of the second coupling member; wherein a magnetic engagementbetween the first engagement portion and the second engagement portionis in response to the first magnetic member and the second magneticmember mating only along a single plane and the magnetic engagementunseals a fluid flow path traversing a portion of each coupling memberand places the fuel cell powered device into fluid communication withthe fuel supply source; wherein disengagement of the first couplingmember and the second coupling member seals the fluid flow path anddisrupts fluid communication between the fuel cell powered device andthe fuel supply source; and wherein the magnetic engagement comprises amagnetic force configured such that the first coupling member and thesecond coupling member disengage when a predetermined internal pressureof the fuel reservoir is reached.
 13. The fluid coupling assembly ofclaim 12, wherein the predetermined internal pressure is between about300 psig and 725 psig.
 14. The coupling assembly of claim 12, whereinthe fuel cell powered device comprises one of a cellular phone, asatellite phone, a laptop computer, a computer accessory, a display, anaudio or video player, a medical device, a television, a transmitter, areceiver, a lighting device, a power tool, or an electronic toy.
 15. Amethod of coupling a fuel supply source and a fuel reservoir in a fuelcell powered device, the method comprising: magnetically engaging afirst coupling member in fluid communication with the fuel supply sourceand a second coupling member in fluid communication with the fuelreservoir, the first coupling member having a first magnetic member, thesecond coupling member having a second magnetic member, the magneticengagement being in response to the first magnetic member and the secondmagnetic member mating only along a single plane and the magneticengagement comprising aligning a first engagement portion of the firstcoupling member and a second engagement portion of the second couplingmember, the first engagement portion comprising a single valve memberand the second engagement portion comprising a single outwardlyprojecting activation member, wherein the single outwardly projectingactivation member is the only activation member of the first couplingmember and the second coupling member and the single outwardlyprojecting activation member projects outwardly from and is an integralpart of a surface of a recess portion of the second coupling member,wherein the single outwardly projecting activation member terminateswithin the recess portion of the second coupling member, wherein therecess portion of the second coupling member is an integral part of thesecond coupling member, wherein the single valve member abuts a ballmember that abuts a resilient member; establishing a seal between thefirst coupling member and the second coupling member, comprisingpreventing fluid leakage between the fuel supply source and the fuelreservoir; opening a fluid flow path between the first coupling memberand the second coupling member, comprising bringing the single outwardlyprojecting activation member of the second engagement portion in contactwith the single valve member of the first engagement portion to move thesingle valve member from a resiliently biased sealed position to anunsealed position; and disengaging the first coupling member and thesecond coupling member, comprising moving the single valve member of thefirst engagement portion to the resiliently biased sealed position,thereby sealing the fluid flow path, wherein disengaging the firstcoupling member and the second coupling member is in response toattaining a predetermined internal pressure of the fuel reservoir. 16.The method of claim 15, wherein opening the fluid flow path comprisesallowing a stream of at least one of hydrogen, one or more alcohols,butane, formic acid, one or more borohydride compounds, one or moremixtures of alcohols and borohydrides, one or more ammonia boranesolutions, one or more carbazole compounds, one or more hydrocarbons,one or more alcohols, methane, hydrazine hydrate, propane, or ammonia toflow from the fluid supply source to the fluid receiving reservoir. 17.The method of claim 15, wherein magnetically engaging the first couplingmember and the second coupling member comprises coupling a magnetdisposed on the first coupling member and a magnetic surface of thesecond coupling member.
 18. The method of claim 15, wherein magneticallyengaging the first coupling member and the second coupling membercomprises overlapping the first and second engagement portions less thanabout 1 mm.
 19. The method of claim 15, wherein establishing a sealbetween the first coupling member and the second coupling membercomprises compressing a seal member disposed between a portion of thefirst coupling member and a portion of the second coupling member. 20.The method of claim 15, wherein disengaging the first coupling memberand the second coupling member is directionally independent.
 21. Themethod of claim 15, wherein magnetically engaging the first couplingmember and the second coupling member comprises cooperatively aligningthe first and second coupling members to form the fluid flow path. 22.The method of claim 15, further comprising disengaging the firstcoupling member and the second coupling member, wherein disengaging thefirst and second coupling members occurs when a mechanical force isovercome and disengagement of the first and second coupling membersseals the fluid flow path.
 23. The method of claim 15, whereinmagnetically engaging the first coupling member and the second couplingmember comprises inducing a polarity of at least one of the first orsecond coupling members.